The breeze is slightly more refreshing; the heatwave is finally passing over! However, the news isn’t as pleasant for those of us who wish to return to a normal rhythm of life. In France, the cases of COVID-19 are rising, though the death rate remains the same (according to the World Health Organisation). Some governments worldwide have decided to take new measures to control the sanitary situation. In that regard, the United Kingdom has decided that on Saturday, people coming from certain countries will need to be quarantined for 14 days, France included.

Many people will have read The Adventures of Tintin comic series by the Belgian cartoonist, Georges Rémi. Famous during his lifetime, the artist is more commonly known as Hergé. He would have been pleased to know that his initial cover for the album Le Lotus Bleu would be estimated at 2 to 3 M euros. The artwork will be exhibited in Artcurial’s gallery in Monaco until September 11th, in Brussels from September 22nd to October 2nd and in Paris on November 19th and 20th, before being auctioned off on November 21st at Artcurial.

Walking on the Croisette last night, no one would believe that 24 hours before, a crowd of terrified people were running from what they thought was a shooting attack. With the event instantly broadcast through social media as well as dozens of policeman and fire brigades on site to control the crowds, the conclusion is that there was more fear than actual harm done and that fake news travel fast. 

In the case of a last minute change of plans for this evening, Riviera Insider has a fun alternative to propose: a nocturnal market in Saint-Auban. Between 6 pm and 11 pm tonight, the village’s roads in the Grasse Region will be filled with local businesses and animations. Organized by two associations, SaintOfolies and Inspiration Esteron, the night promises a refreshing market experience under the stars. It’s an opportunity to enjoy live concerts and avoid getting a sunburn in these times of hot weather.

If ever curious to discover the art of making portraits, a place to visit is the Palais Lascaris in Nice. A hundred portraits drawn during the reign of Louis XV and Louis XVI will be displayed in the classical baroque setting from August 13, 2020, until June 30, 2021. Apart from Tuesdays, visitors will have the chance to discover every day, from 10 am to 6 pm, paintings created by famous artists such as Van Loo, Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun, Duplessis, Ducreux, and many others.

**Updated!** It has been a bit of a confusing few months with having kids at home instead of school, deciding if they go back to school or not and also that difficult feeling of being torn between wanting the safest environment for them and needing to get them out of the house! Now that summer holidays are in full swing, there are plenty of summer camps and ‘stage’ activities for all ages, from extended daycare for the little ones, to English-only educational (and fun) programmes. Here is a listing of a few:

The Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes has ordered that in eight municipalities of the Côte d'Azur, wearing a mask will have to be mandatory outside in certain areas. In agreement with the respective mayors, the mask requirement applies in parts of Biot, La Gaude, Menton, Mougins, Nice, Saint-Cézaire-Sur-Siagne, Saint-Laurent-Du-Var and Vence.

In reminiscence of the fatal day when the Morandi Bridge in Genoa collapsed, the new bridge connecting the Autostrada across the capital city was inaugurated this week, on Monday 3 August. Renamed ‘Genova-San Giorgio’, after the patron saint of the port city, the long bridge was completed in record time, less than two years after the disaster. A ceremony with heads of state, the architect and family of the victims was held not only to inaugurate the bridge but also to commemorate the 43 lives lost in the collapse.